The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 259 Zhu Xiong Ying Re-elects the State

In the past, if these matters were mentioned, Zhu Yuanzhang would have been furious, but this time there was no reaction at all.

Hu Weiyong and the others sensed that something was wrong, so they lowered their heads and didn't say a word.

However, at this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at these officials and said, "Have you finished speaking? After you've finished, it'll be my turn!"

"I've been feeling a bit weak lately, so I'm going to let the Crown Prince continue to oversee the country. You can report anything directly to the Crown Prince!"

Upon hearing this, the officials in the imperial court erupted in uproar.

What kind of mess is this? If they report everything to Zhu Xiong Ying, what good will come of it for them? It would be a good thing if they weren't killed.

"Your Majesty, you must not."

His Highness the Crown Prince is currently in the prime of his life; even if there is to be a regent, it should be His Highness the Crown Prince who oversees the country!

"His Highness the Crown Prince is still young and should be learning. He is not yet adept at handling many matters and should instead study the ways of the sages in the Great Hall!"

The crowd was making a ruckus, as if they wouldn't give up until Crown Prince Zhu Biao was allowed to oversee the country.

Just then, Crown Prince Zhu Biao, who was suppressing a laugh, suddenly coughed twice. "Thank you all for your kindness, but I have recently caught a cold and am not in a good position to handle court affairs. Therefore, I have decided to hand over all these matters to Xiong Ying!"

The officials in the imperial court were instantly confused.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao hadn't fallen ill earlier or later, but it had to be at this time.

Moreover, since the morning court session began, so much time has passed, and Crown Prince Zhu Biao has not coughed once.

That sudden cough or two seemed a bit too fake, didn't it? The Crown Prince overseeing the country was a good thing for them; at least their lives would be much easier from now on.

But if it's His Highness the Crown Prince, then things will be troublesome.

During the time that His Highness the Crown Prince was regent, the situation in the court underwent tremendous changes, and many officials were punished as a result.

Even the former prime minister, Li Shanchang, was thoroughly tricked by him.

Now that guy is back, how are they supposed to get by?

Zhu Yuanzhang disregarded what the officials in the court thought and stood up directly from the throne.

The crown prince, Zhu Xiong Ying, sat down next to him.

At this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao beside him and said.

"Boss, let's go to Renshou Palace!"

As they approached the door, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to remember something and turned to look at Zhu Xiong Ying.

"Xiongying, after you finish dealing with things, hurry to Renshou Palace. Your Empress Dowager made roast goose today. If you're late, there won't be any for you!"

After saying that, the two of them ran away in a flash, leaving the officials in the court staring at each other in disbelief.

What kind of situation is this? The emperor and the crown prince have both run away, leaving only a ten-year-old grandson on the throne.

Moreover, although Zhu Xiong Ying is young, he is a little devil.

Few who fall under his control have a good end; isn't this forcing them to their deaths? Zhu Xiong Ying sat on the throne, looking at the assembled civil and military officials below.

"I've heard that someone is opposing the land tax reform in Fengyang Prefecture. I wonder which official it is? I'd like to make a note of it!"

The ministers below all bowed their heads, including those who had been shouting the loudest.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang was known for his cruelty in punishing entire families, including those who were skinned alive, he was not a good ruler.

However, this person must have made a serious mistake; it can't be dismissed simply because they submitted a petition.

It is important to know that Zhu Yuanzhang valued the opinions of the people very much, and even set up censors in various places, who could go directly to the capital to file complaints with the emperor.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao is very benevolent and would never use such remarks to make things difficult for them. The only trouble now is the Crown Prince's grandson, Zhu Xiong Ying.

This person leaves no room for compromise in his actions, and he has no goodwill towards them whatsoever. Despite his young age, countless people have died at his hands.

"It's better to offend the King of Hell than to offend Zhu Xiong Ying," was the advice left to them by that group of officials.

Seeing that the group of officials remained silent, Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said.

"It seems I was too young to hear correctly. I originally thought that you gentlemen were extremely opposed to the land tax reform, but now it seems that the land tax reform has been very effective and everyone likes it quite a bit. In that case, let's start by expanding the scope of the land tax reform from Fengyang Prefecture to the surrounding areas. The entire Southern Zhili Province must follow the land tax reform!"

These words caused an uproar in the entire court.

The implementation of the land tax reform in Fengyang Prefecture alone has already offended many people. If the entire Southern Zhili region were to follow suit, it would be a real problem.

Sure enough, one of the officials couldn't sit still any longer and hurriedly ran out to say something.

"Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable! The 'equalization of land tax and poll tax' is a recipe for disaster for the country. In Fengyang Prefecture, the gentry, commoners, and powerful families have fled in droves because of this policy!"

"The local officials have all left. It's an extremely tragic situation. If other places were like this, how should our Great Ming govern its territory?"

After listening, everyone nodded in agreement.

Even now, there are still many powerful and influential families within the Ming Dynasty, and this matter clearly infringes upon the interests of these families.

Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes began to sharpen.

"My words are never to solicit your opinions, but to inform you!"

"Tie Xuan handled this matter well before, so let's entrust this one to him as well!"

Just as these people were about to voice their objections, someone walked in from outside.

The man, dressed in a flying fish robe and with piercing eyes, was none other than Prince Zhu Gang of Jin.

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin looked at Ye Fan and said.

"Your subject, Prince Zhu Gang of Jin, pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and nodded.

"Prince Jin, you may dispense with the formalities. I am implementing the land tax reform and am worried that the officials below may outwardly comply but inwardly disobey. Therefore, I have ordered you to lead two battalions of troops to patrol the area. Anyone who disobeys or resists orders will be executed without mercy!"

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin nodded upon hearing this.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will certainly live up to everyone's expectations!"

Only then did the officials in the court realize why Zhu Yuanzhang and Crown Prince Zhu Biao had left in such a hurry.

It was obvious that they were making way for Zhu Xiong Ying in order to promote the integration of land tax and poll tax.

At this point, even if they went to the palace to ask for help, it would probably be to no avail.

As expected, as soon as the court officials finished their morning audience, they all came to the front of the palace to request an audience with Zhu Yuanzhang.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang hid inside Renshou Palace and refused to come out.

The group had no choice but to head to the East Palace.

The Crown Princess Lü had no idea what had happened, and the Crown Prince, Zhu Biao, had not returned during this time.

I heard that Zhu Xiong Ying has resumed his regency, and his eyes are filled with jealousy.

If appointing him as regent was out of necessity before, the situation is different now.

This is tantamount to sending a signal in the imperial court that the only person who can inherit that position in the future is Zhu Xiong Ying.

(End of this chapter)